Princeton, NJ: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 44/100
5 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Princeton: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (7 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Low marks: Princeton, NJ sits below the midpoint of the ZipCheckup grade scale.
How Princeton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Princeton Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 131 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0033 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $620 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.62.
Who Supplies Your Water in Princeton
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 5 tied to Princeton, NJ.
- D
- F
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Princeton, New Jersey (population ~56,462), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 943,685 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 5 ZIP codes.
1 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (33%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Princeton: D (44/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Princeton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0033 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
4 of 5 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1. 1 of 5 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 68 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 28 | 1 |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 28 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 26 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 22 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08540 | F | 131 | 7 | Nj American Water - Raritan |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08542 | D | Nj American Water - Raritan | 615,430 |
| 08544 | D | Nj American Water - Raritan | 615,430 |
All ZIP Codes in Princeton
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Princeton
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Princeton Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Princeton
With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
1967 is the median build year in Princeton, and the age breakdown below shows how much of the housing predates 1986.
A significant portion of Princeton's housing stock predates 1970, so some homes may have older plumbing materials. Residents in older homes should consider water testing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Princeton Homeowners
The remediation-to-value ratio for Princeton sits at the bottom of the scale.
Estimated remediation costs in Princeton can be compared with local home values. The $360–$1,100 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 56% above the New Jersey average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Princeton
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Princeton
Historical NFIP data for Princeton contains 276 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $45,306. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The $620 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Princeton
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Lead and Copper Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Princeton: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Princeton, NJ